Christmas Countdown...10 days until Christmas

Yesterday I started a blog-a-thon to Christmas, well that's just a fancy way of saying we are going to count down the days to Christmas. I'll be honest, the blogs may not interest you or even relate to where you are in life yet it's time I got back to blogging daily. It is something I miss and didn't realize it until talking with the director of my daughter's play this weekend. I have book ideas swirling and landing in the "Do Later File" of my brain so most will probably be lost forever. Others have made it to a sticky note, scrap piece of paper, or a napkin and tucked in my file for a inspired day of writing. 

With ten days until most will gather around their tree surrounded by family or friends, I'm left to wonder, have I missed opportunities to encourage others during the holidays? Worse yet, i feels as if I haven't been as compassionate or caring friend as I should of been for my friends who have lost a parent in the past. There was a time I'd dwell on this for a year or two before realizing I can't change the past but I can be proactive to be a better friend in situations like this in the future. If you are one of those friends, I apologize.

While my Mom was in and out of the hospital this summer and then home with Hospice, I started gifting her these little turtles. They remind me of the Irish Worry Stone. Mom liked them because she could hold it and rub, as she got lost in thought or planned. They also glimmered on the window sill when the afternoon sun reflected off them. Each turtle has a different saying. As I waited at Wayne Crandall's in Oswego a couple times, I started to pick up these turtle gems for myself. I have two and they sit on my desk next to my computer. One says, "One day at a time", purchased a couple days after Mom passed and the other says, "Enjoy the journey." As I sat fighting back tears at the pharmacy one day I remembered the verse from James to be joyful in all situations, and if I needed help in the journey I only need call on God and find the joy.

Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. 
As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them;
if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure 
and teach you true patience as you endure.
 And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. 
If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, 
then all you have to do is ask God for it;
and God will grant all that you need.
​He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking."
James 1:2-5 The VOICE

I don't claim to have joy 24/7 or a secret solution to grief but one thing I do know ~ when we are honest and trust all our trials, tribulations, and concerns to God in prayer...He is faithful to answer. And to help and encourage us along the way, we need to trust a few people with some of these concerns, if only for the shoulder to cry on with no words spoken. I'm thankful for a God, family, and friends that love me.

​Enjoy your journey and take one day at a time.
If you have lost a loved one,
how did or do you honor their memory during the Christmas season?


An ornament, song, activity?

​
Will you share in a post below?